Mortimer g



(No Model.)

M. G. MERRITT.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. v No. 496,320. Patented Apr. 25, 1893'.

1' MMMMM ms Ptrzns co, PHOTO-THO WASHINGTON. n c. x

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORTIMER G. MERRITT, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE YOST WRITING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-WRITING MACHISN E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,320, dated April 25, 1893. Application filed September 25, 1888- Serial No. 286,304. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- Be it known that I, MORTIMER G. MERRITT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is .a specification.

My invention relates to that class of typero writing machines employing a center-guide or directrix, and particularly to machines in which the guide-opening is of rectangular or other polygonal form.

Considerable time and skill are required to I 5 make a rectangular type-guiding opening in the arm or support of the directrix so that when the latter is attached to the machine the type-guiding opening will occupy its proper position with relation to the printing point;

and inasmuch as the type are all assembled or aligned by means of the directrix it will be understood that if the rectangular opening therein be not properly located or fixed in position in the first instance the type in the use of the machine Will print improperly and the writing will have an unsightly appearance.

My invention has for one of its objects to provide a construction by which the typeopening may be readily and accurately brought to position, and to this end consists in combining with a shank or support a rotatable directrix provided with a rectangular or other polygonal opening.

My invention has for another object to pro vide a construction whereby the type-guiding portion is adapted to be raised or lowered according to the number of sheets being printed and to correct any variation from proper level of the shank or support due to imperfect setting or fleXure; and to these ends consists in combining with an interiorly threaded shank or support an exteriorly threaded guide-piece or directrix; and my invention further consists in certain other features of construction and combinations of parts all of which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is top view of a portion of a type-writing machine embodying my invent-ion. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same on the line at, m, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is an enlarged plan View of the guide and its supporting means. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section onthe line y, g, of Fig. 3, with a paper-platen and paper added, the View being given to illustrate the adjustability of the guide, with reference to the platen. Fig. 5 is a top view of a modification of my invention, and Fig. 6 is a ver- 50 tical section of the same on the line 2, z, of Fig. 5.

In the several views the same part will be found designated by the same letters and numerals of reference.

A designates the type-ring or top-plate of a type-writing machine, B, a type-arm, carrying a type b, (which may be inked in any desired manner,) C, a connecting-rod, and D a paperplaten, the type -arn1 being mounted in a hanger c, fastened in place by a screw (Z, all in about the usual way.

2 represents a type-guide or directrix, supported at the inner end of an arm 3 fastened by screws 4 to' the type-ring. The type-guide is made round or circular and is formed or provided with a centrally-arranged rectangular opening 5. The arm or support is provided at its free end with a circular opening 6, to receive the type-guide and from said opening for a short distance rearwardly said support is split or slotted out as seen at 7.

In the construction shown at Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the type-guide is provided exteriorly with a screw-thread 8 which engages with a screw-thread 9, formed on the support 3 around the opening 6, so that the type-guide may be turned for adjustment of its opening and may be elevated or depressed relatively to the platen. In rear of the type-guide the go arm is drilled and tapped for the employment of a transverse screw 10, by which the typeguide when brought to the desired position may be set and held against accidental turning by vibration or otherwise.

In practice the opposite walls of the guideopeningshould be parallel and the four walls should be arranged parallel with the lines w,

w, and :r, in, at Fig. 1 and w, w, and y, y, at Fig. 3. In the last mentioned figure I have I00 shown, the guide-opening out of proper position in dotted lines, and in proper position in full lines. It will be understood of course that the opening may be readily turned from the dotted line position to the full line position in order to get it true either by the fingers or by means of a suitable tool inserted in the opening, while the set screw is loose.

At Fig. 4:, I have illustrated the usual cylindrical platen provided with paper in full and dotted lines, and I have illustrated the type-guide by full and dotted lines in two positions. When the platen is provided only with the paper shown in full lines the typeguide may be adjusted to the position shown in full lines, whereas when the platen is provided with additional paper extending down to the dotted line 11, the type-guide may be lowered to the position shown in dotted lines, and thus prevent the paper striking or dragging against the upper surface of the guide and crinkling or buckling, and interfering with the work.

In the modification shown at Figs. 5 and 6, the type-guide is adapted to be turned around only and is without capacity to be raised or lowered as in the other figures of the drawin gs. The arm or support is preferably split or bifurcated to its extremity where it is provided with a set screw 10, similar in function to the one hereinbefore described.

The type-guide is provided with a rectangular opening and preferably has its periphery formed tapering or wedge-shaped in cross section to fitinto a corresponding seat or bearing around the opening in the arm or support. The type-guide is fitted into the support by loosening or removing the set-screw and wedging it to its seat, the spring-like forks of the support yielding outwardly to permit the insertion and seating of the guide. Owing to the peculiar shape of the guide and its bearing the former is precluded from dropping out of the supporter or holder. By having the arm or support and the directrix made separate, the latter when worn maybe replaced at small cost.

So far as some of the features of my invention are concerned the opening in the typeguide may be circular, or of other shape than the rectangular one illustrated.

All matter herein shown and described but not claimed is disclaimed in favor of an application filed by me March 24, 1887, Serial No. 232,230.

The claims made herein are for combinations or subj cot-matter not shown in said other application.

I do not claim herein the combination of a type-bar, a type having a tapering shank, and a perforated centering-plate; nor do I claim herein the combination of a type made with beveled sides and a centering-plate or guide with a beveled opening; nor said combination when the type is provided with a polygonal bed or base and the guide with a polygonal opening, as all of said combinations or features of construction are reserved for or made the subject-matter of my aforesaid application, Serial No. 232,230.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with an arm or support, of arotatory directrix having a polygonal opening; substantially as set forth.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a bifurcated or split arm or support, of a rotatory directrix, and a retainingscrew; substantially as set forth.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination of an arm or support having an opening, a rotatory type-guide fitted within said opening, and means, substantially as described, for locking or holding said guide rigidly in position; substantially as set forth.

4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with an arm or support having an opening, of a vertically-adjustable directrix fitted within said opening; substantially as set forth.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of an arm or supporthaving a threaded opening, a type-guide having a threaded periphery, and a retaining or locking device for said guide; substantially as set forth.

6. In a type-Writing machine, the combination of a split or bifurcated arm or support having a threaded opening, a threaded typeguide, and a clamping-screw; substantially as set forth.

7. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a split or bifurcated arm or support having a threaded opening, an exteriorly threaded type-guide having a polygonal opening, and a clamping or retaining screw; substantially as set forth.

8. In a type writing machine, the combination with a support having an opening, of an adjustable directrix fittedto said opening.

9. In a type writing machine, the combination with a support having an opening, of an adjustable screw-threaded directrix fitted to said opening.

10. In a type writing machine, the combination with a support having an opening, of a rotatory directrix fitted to said opening, and means for positively securing said directrix in the desired position.

MORTIMER G. MERRITT.

Witnesses:

J. G. DUNNING, THOMAS E. SMITH. 

